The sixth member of the third generation Renault Megane family - the Coupe Cabriolet - was unveiled at Geneva 2010 and completes the range. It's only the second Megane hardtop CC though, as the first-generation model only offered a cloth-top convertible.
The designers behind the new CC have kept the previous generation's innovative glass folding roof but softened all the exterior lines - which is a good thing. The older CC, lacking the unusually 'stepped' rear visual interest of its 'ass shaking' hatch sibling, was very boxy, due in part to the constraints that folding hardtops can often dictate around the back of the car.
Conversely, while the old Megane CC lacked a little of its hatch's coherent design, the new CC is an improvement on the somewhat dull third-generation hatchback. The new CC shares its hatchback's shallow scooped hood, but beyond the A-pillar things change quite a bit. The soft feature line that starts by curving around the fender is more shapely than on the hatch, as it dips under a much lower side mirror - mounted on the body of the car rather than within the quarter-light area behind the A-pillar. As this soft line extends rearward it creates a subtle but wide and gently sloping shoulder that adds to the car's solid but graceful feel. New rear lights situated on each corner feature twin linear shaped LED brake lights to add some distinction.
Inside, the dashboard is stock Megane but the interior door panel trim is bespoke to the CC, featuring a butterfly wing shape. To reduce buffeting from the wind with the top down, a centrally located fixed glass wind deflector has been added behind the rear seats too.
There is no shortage of C-segment compact coupe cabriolets available in 2010 - from the Pininfarina-assembled Focus to Peugeot's 308 CC and VW's Eos - but this Megane CC compares well again in design terms within their company. It goes on sale mid-summer.
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